San Mateo County approves $15 million budget for drainage project

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve $15 million in funding for the construction of the Vista Grande Drainage Basin Improvement project. The project aims to address persistent flooding in northern San Mateo County and parts of San Francisco.

“The project is expected to provide a range of public benefits, including improved storm drainage, water supply, wastewater disposal, solid waste capture, recreation, and environmental enhancement benefits,” county staff said in a report.

According to county staff, much of the flooding can be attributed to overflowing water at Lake Merced during heavy downpours.

The project will channel and filter rainwater from the Vista Grande Watershed before releasing it into the Pacific Ocean.

“Overflows at Lake Merced not only impact the watershed in San Francisco but cause some serious flooding in north San Mateo County,” Supervisor David Canepa said. “This historic sewer system was once the pride of the West but it’s aging now and needs some serious plumbing to adapt to a changing climate.”

San Mateo County experienced massive flooding and power outages due to successive storms and atmospheric rivers that struck the Bay Area last fall and winter.

The budget for the project will be sourced from the county’s general fund.

In addition to San Mateo County, the project will be carried out in collaboration with Daly City, North San Mateo County Sanitation District, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Caltrans, and other entities. Each of these partners will contribute different amounts to the project.